In a detailed account, Wickersham reports of a dysfunctional relationship and “serious disagreements” between Patriots owner Robert Kraft, head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady, and how it will all soon end in a great divide.

Jumping out are reports and innuendos of a growing discord over Alex Guerrero, Brady’s trainer, body coach and business partner, and his impact on the team’s training methods; Belichick’s “bracing” coaching style and how his relationship with Brady is less than warm and fuzzy, Brady’s desire to remain the team’s No. 1 QB for five more years while Belichick is only on board if he’s the best option; Brady’s private meetings with Kraft on a new contract to ensure his wish is granted; and Kraft’s interference with the roster that included a mandate to trade talented backup Jimmy Garoppolo to the 49ers.

The most logical scenario should a break up occur, it has been since suggested, could see the 65-year-old Belichick walk away at the end of this season, perhaps in a trade to another team.

Reportedly interviewed for the piece were more than a dozen New England staffers, executives, players and league sources “with knowledge of the team’s inner workings.”

As well as serving as a large distraction to all the hype entering the NFL’s wild-card weekend, the Patriots tried to douse the fire when Kraft, Belichick and Brady released this joint statement refuting the story:

“For the past 18 years, the three of us have enjoyed a very good and productive working relationship. In recent days, there have been multiple media reports that have speculated theories that are unsubstantiated, highly exaggerated or flat out inaccurate.

“The three of us share a common goal. We look forward to the enormous challenge of competing in the post-season and the opportunity to work together in the future, just as we have for the past 18 years. It is unfortunate that there is even a need for us to respond to these fallacies. As our actions have shown, we stand together.”

Soon enough, the truth will reveal itself.

In the meantime, there are some of us who have just plain tired of the Patriots’ success. The nine consecutive division titles, the 32-19 record in post-season games with a .627 percentage that is tops among the most frequent visitors, the five Super Bowls since 2001, including the back-to-back championships in 2003-04 and two more in the past three years — and the very real threat that the numbers will shoot up again in the next month.

We are more than ready for change, and we see the only chance of the Patriots’ dominance ending is if it ends itself.

In New England, perhaps the end is finally near.

SECOND AND LONG

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport says the Raiders will introduce Jon Gruden as their new head coach at a press conference on Tuesday, confirming all suspicions and beliefs. Stunning is Rapoport’s assertion that Mark Davis will give Gruden a 10-year contract in the $100-million range. Not bad for a guy who hasn’t worked the sidelines for nine years. That kind of security and scratch would make anyone jump from a booth … Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski made $5.5 million in incentive bonuses — $3 million for surpassing the 1,000-yard mark in receiving and $2.5 million when he was named Friday as an Associated Press first-team all-pro. Wonder what Gronk spiked to celebrate that haul … Steelers star Antonio Brown was the only unanimous selection for the all-pro team.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Buffalo fans have already shown their gratitude to Cincinnati Bengals’ Andy Dalton and Tyler Boyd for their pass-run touchdown that put Bills into the playoffs for the first time since 1999 with overwhelming donations to their respective charities and causes — and now comes a mouth-watering display of appreciation. According to the Bills Twitter account, the team is sending the Bengals a rather large order from Duff’s Famous Wings: “1440 wings, 90 pounds of celery, 30 pounds of carrots, six gallons of blue cheese, six gallons of Duff’s wing sauce and a TON of thank you’s from Buffalo.” That should take care of the offensive line, but what are the rest of them going to have? Meanwhile, the Bengals ‘Twitter account replied with a giant Tiger licking its chops.

ODDS AND ENDS

The latest QB to announce he is leaving school early to enter the NFL draft is Louisville’s Lamar Jackson, a former Heisman winner who has drawn comparisons to Cam Newton. Now, that’s not to suggest he’s the next Newton, who was selected first overall by the Panthers in 2011. But Jackson does have game-breaking running skills (4,132 yards rushing, 50 TDs) to go along with what has been called an unpolished passing ability that still saw him throw for 9,043 yards and 69 majors. He’s definitely worth a first round gamble, but at what spot? … Coach John Harbaugh says the Baltimore Ravens will consider drafting their third QB since using a first-round pick to select Joe Flacco in 2008. But apparently the 32-year-old Flacco, who is under contract until the end of the 2021 season, need not worry about his job. “I do not think that jeopardizes Joe at all,” Harbaugh told the Baltimore Sun. “He is our guy, and I am excited about our chances next year having a great season, and Joe is too.” That’s a lot of faith shown to a guy who couldn’t get his team past the Bengals in a home game with a ticket to the playoffs on the line.

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